- ECOWAS faces a potential fracture
- Touray highlighted the consequences of this split
- The summit also plans to make decisions
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces a potential fracture as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all led by military juntas, solidify their departure from the bloc.
These concerns arose after the three countries signed the Alliance of Sahel States treaty on Saturday. ECOWAS, a 15-member organization with nearly 50 years of history, has been pressuring these nations to return to democratic rule.
ECOWAS commission president Omar Touray highlighted the potential consequences of this split. He emphasized the benefits of membership, including freedom of movement and a combined market of 400 million people. These advantages could be lost if the three countries leave.
Furthermore, Touray warned of disruptions to security cooperation, especially intelligence sharing and joint efforts against terrorism. Funding for economic projects in these departing nations, totaling over $500 million, could also be jeopardized.
The ECOWAS summit in Abuja, Nigeria, aimed to address the implications of the Alliance of Sahel States treaty. This treaty represents a significant shift for the region as the member states seized power through coups between 2020 and 2023, severing ties with regional allies and Western powers.
The summit also plans to make decisions regarding a regional military force to combat terrorism and the implementation of a common currency.
